Wellbeing Budget 2019

A $320.9 million Joint Venture on family violence and sexual violence Budget package has been announced that includes $40.8 million over four years to Oranga Tamariki to expand sexual violence services for children and young people.

Published on

20 May 2019

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Joint Venture to tackle family and sexual violence

The package of initiatives lays the foundation for coordinated, collective action across government to transform the way we respond to violence, led by a Joint Venture that was announced last year by Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice (Domestic and Sexual Violence Issues) Jan Logie.

The Joint Venture brings together the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Oranga Tamariki, the Ministries of Health, Education, Social Development and Justice, Te Puni Kokiri, the Police, ACC, and the Department of Corrections, and is informed by an independent Māori advisory group.

Increased funding to Oranga Tamariki

The increase in funding to Oranga Tamariki of $40.8 million comprises:

$24.9 million for crisis support services for children and young people.

$15.9 million for increased services for children and young people with concerning/harmful sexual behaviours.

Crisis support services for children and young people

This initiative aims to increase child wellbeing by providing access to sexual harm crisis support services designed specifically for children and youth.

Crisis services include immediate support to reduce the severity and longevity of the negative impacts of sexual harm, and promote the safety and wellbeing of the child or young person in their family, whānau and community.

Benefits and impacts

Up to 2,800 children and young people will benefit each year.

Services will be available 24/7 and throughout New Zealand.

Up to 35 sustainably-funded professionals will deliver the services, increasing capacity to respond to the needs of children and young people.

Increased services for children and young people with concerning/harmful sexual behaviours

This initiative aims to increase child wellbeing through increased service capacity to meet demand for prevention, education, early intervention, assessment and treatment services for children and young people who display concerning and harmful sexual behaviours.

This includes service development to ensure services (including assessments, treatments and preventative initiatives) can be delivered in a kaupapa Māori context. They must also be suitable for those with behavioural problems, intellectual disability or neuro-disability issues.

Benefits and impacts

Up to 130 children and young people, and their families, will benefit each year.

Waiting lists will be reduced for children and young people who require assessment and treatment.

Assessment and treatment for children and young people will be available in most locations.

Prevention and education services will be developed and will be more widely available.

Budget package one of the greatest opportunities to improve wellbeing

Announcing the $320.9 million package, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Under-Secretary Logie reinforced that preventing and eliminating family violence and sexual violence is one of the greatest opportunities to improve wellbeing.